Minister thrills Remainers with shock decision to quit
REMAINER Tory minister Phillip Lee was last night facing possible deselection by his local party association after his shock decision to quit the Government over Brexit.
The stunning move – made while he was giving a speech at the Bright Blue think tank on human rights – turned the Bracknell MP into an instant Remainer icon with pro-EU protesters holding placards with his face on outside Parliament.
Applauded
He was applauded by Labour Remainer MPs in the chamber and praised by leading Tory rebels including Anna Soubry and health select committee chairwoman Sarah Wollaston.
Remainers also claimed his resignation as justice minister had forced the Government to compromise on a meaningful vote – potentially opening the door for Brexit to be reversed.
But Dr Lee’s decision was met with disapproval by senior figures in his constituency where voters backed Brexit in the referendum.
Chris Boutle, chairman of the Bracknell Conservative Association, warned that Dr Lee’s move would “count against him” if an election is called soon.
He said: “The constituency voted for Leave and although there are a few very enthusiastic Remainers the majority of his party certainly wants to leave.
“A number of those who voted for remain are now prepared to accept the democratic decision and leave.”
Dr Lee, who is a practising GP, insisted that his constituency is not strongly Brexit and that the Wokingham part voted Remain.
He told MPs: “The main reason for my taking this decision now is the Brexit process and the Government’s wish to limit Parliament’s role in contributing to the final outcome. If, in the future, I am to look my children in the eye and honestly say that I did my best for them I cannot, in all good conscience, support how our country’s exit from the EU looks set to be delivered.”
Outlining his Remainer credentials, he went on: “I voted to remain in the European Union and have not changed my view that continued membership would have been the better strategic course.
“Even so, I believe that it would be impossible and wrong to seek to go back to how things were before the referendum.”
He called for Article 50 to be suspended or delayed to provide more time to negotiate Brexit.
Backing a second referendum, he said: “When the Government is able to set out an achievable, clearly defined path – rooted in reality and evidence, not dreams and dogma – it should go to the people, once again, to seek their confirmation.”
Achievable